Frequency-comb spectroscopy on pure quantum states of a single molecular ion.

ABSTRACT: Spectroscopy is a powerful tool for studying molecules and is commonly performed on large thermal molecular ensembles that are perturbed by motional shifts and interactions with the environment and one another, resulting in convoluted spectra and limited resolution. Here, we use quantum-logic techniques to prepare a trapped molecular ion in a single quantum state, drive terahertz rotational transitions with an optical frequency comb, and read out the final state nondestructively, leaving the molecule ready for further manipulation. We can resolve rotational transitions to 11 significant digits and derive the rotational constant of ⁴⁰CaH⁺ to be B _R = 142 501 777.9(1.7) kilohertz. Our approach is suited for a wide range of molecular ions, including pol

SUBMITTER: Chou CW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10652508 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature